Device for shaping knitwear



June 30, 1970 NN l S ET AL 3,517,865

DEVICE- FOR SHAPING KNITWEAR Filed May 27, 1968 lnven/m: H'ERBERT Knmve 615mm 8 RICHARD JURBSMEK Y WWM/ W United States Patent 01 fice 3,517,865 Patented June 30, 1970 3,517,865 DEVICE FOR SHAPING KNITWEAR Herbert Kannegiesser and Richard Juraschek, Vltho (Weser), Germany, assignors to Kannegiesser Maschinenfabrik Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Hollwiesen, Vlotho (W eser), Germany Filed May 27, 1968, Ser. No. 732,272 Claims priority, application ge6rmany, Sept. 27, 1967,

Int. Cl. A5111 /00 US. Cl. 223-69 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a device for shaping knitwear during its treatment by steaming, pressing, and the like and, more particularly, it concerns a form constructed of at least two separable parts.

The present invention affords an improvement of the device or form disclosed in the earlier filed patent appli* cation Ser. No. 620,797, now Pat. No. 3,442,426. In the earlier application, the form is described as constructed of a thin flat section of sheet material with closely spaced small openings formed through the material giving it the appearance of a screen. The openings through the form are dimensioned so that they do not leave any impression on the knitwear after it has been pressed.

In the arrangement of the form, the manner in which its edges are constructed plays an important part. On one hand, the openings through the form should be disposed as close as possible to its edge to insure the passage of air and moisture through every portion of the article of knitwear to avoid streaks and other pressure points, however, on the other hand, the edge of the form must be completely closed, that is, it should form a continuous smooth uninterrupted edge surface, so that the knitwear can be placed on and removed from the form without any risk of damage.

Accordingly, in the previous application, it has been proposed that the edge of the form have a strip attached to it for closing the openings located along the edge to afford a continuous smooth slidable surface on the edge. However, under certain conditions, such an edge strip is not sufiicient since an impression is left on the knitwear due to the edge construction. This problem has been particularly noticeable along the lines of contact between adjoining parts of a multi-part form. An example of such a form is one having a body part and a separable arm part. With the edge construction mentioned above, a closed streak is formed in the knitwear having a width of twice the continuous edge strip.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to afford an arrangement and means of attachment for the contacting edges of adjoining parts of a form which overcomes the problems experienced in the past.

Another object of the invention is to furnish a form for knitwear, particularly, knitwear made from a synthetic material, which is constructed as a fine screen throughout its entire surface to insure maximum air and moisture permeability through the form and especially at points of contact between different parts of the form.

A further object of the invention is to afford a clip construction for holding the adjoining parts together. Further, it is intended that the clips also are arranged to afford the passage of air and moisture through the form.

Moreover, another object of the invention is to provide a construction for the contacting edges of the form which does not interfere with the placement of the article of knitwear on the form or with its subsequent removal.

Still another object of the invention is to supply a bracket for securely supporting the form while it is used in the pressing and steaming operations.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an improvement for the arrangement of the form disclosed in the previous application, particularly for assuring the maximum air and moisture permeability across the entire structure of the form and also for facilitating the use of multi-part forms. In essence, the invention resides in the arrangement of the opposing contacting edges of the parts of a multi-part form. In the embodiment disclosed, the form is indicated as having a body portion and two arms with one of the arms detachably removable from the body portion. It will be appreciated that various form constructions or configurations may be employed and it is not intended to limit the invention to a form such as described and illustrated herein. The contacting edges of the separate parts of the form are arranged to provide an extremely narrow closed edge construction affording a continuous contacting surface that is without any openings interrupting the line of contact. In the event the openings are located along a line of contact, they are welded closed to afford the desired continuous contacting relationship for the opposing edges.

In stamping the forms from perforated metal sheets, openings are located along the edges of the form and depending on their position they may cause the article of knitwear to become caught when it is placed on the form. In accordance with the present invention, such openings located along the edges of contacting parts are closed by welding so that a continuous, extremely narrow closed edge is obtained. Moreover, the edge can be smoothed or ground after welding to further limit any frictional resistance when the knitwear is being placed on and taken off the form. It is intended, in addition to the openings along the contacting parts of the form, that any openings located around the exterior edges of the form can be closed by welding.

While the openings of the form along the contacting edges may be closed by welding, it is also possible to arrange the contacting edges along the portion of the form between adjacent rows, in parallel with the rows, so that the contacting edges have a continuous surface and do not require any of the openings to be closed off by welding or the like.

In addition, the invention also concerns an easily manipulable clip connection between the separable parts of the form, such as between the body part and arm part of the form.

Moreover, a bracket is provided for mounting the form in the steaming and pressing devices and it is constructed for easy attachment and removal of the form and to provide adjustability for various sizes of forms within the treatment equipment.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a form for shaping knitwear embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial enlarged detail of the connection between the arm and body parts of the form illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the line IIIIII in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along the line IVIV of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the drawings, a form is illustrated made of a thin sheet material having good heat resistant characteristics, and, as indicated in the previous application, the material may be either a heat resistant metal or plastic. Moreover, the thickness of the material is in the order of 0.8 to 1 mm. and is constructed as a screen with a plurality of narrow Openings 10. These openings have a diameter in the order of about 1 mm. and are arranged in rows with the centers of the openings in adjacent rows staggered relative to one another. Accordingly, a maximum number of openings are provided at minimum spacings. As an example, the center spacing of the openings is about 1.25 mm. x

In FIG. 1, a multi-part form is illustrated comprised of a body part 15 having an arm portion integrally secured to it and a separable arm part 17. Preferably, the body and arm parts are stamped or cut out of sheet metal which has previously been perforated with small openings such as disclosed in the application referred to above. To assure the maximum passage of air and moisture through the form a special problem is presented by the edges 12. Particularly in the region of contact 32 be tween the edges of the body part 15 and the arm part 17 wide strips devoid of openings should be avoided to the greatest extent possible since a lack of openings will appear as streaks on the knitwear after it has been treated in the steaming and pressing operations. In the embodiment of the form illustrated, the openings are arranged in a number of spaced parallel extending rows which are also disposed in parallel with the contacting edges 12a of the arm and body parts of the form. The arm and body parts of the form are stamped or cut out so that their edges 12a extend in parallel relationship with the rows 10a of the openings through the form. In this way, the edges 12a are formed between adjacent rows of openings so that a narrow continuous closed edge is produced. As indicated previously, in stamping the parts of the form any openings interrupting the edges 12 or 1211 can be closed by welding particularly the contacting edges 12a between the adjoining parts of the form to assure that a continuously contacting narrow closed edge surface is achieved. Further, the edge surface formed can be ground or filed smooth if it is necessary.

In addition to the continuously contacting arrangement of the surfaces shown in FIG. 1, means are also provided for clipping the separable parts of the form together and holding them in properly aligned position. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the clips 33, 34 and 35, 36 are attached to the arm part 17 and are located at the opposite ends of the contacting edge 12a. Each pair of clips or plates 33, 34 and 35, 36 is attached to the arm part and extends laterally from its edge in spaced relationship having a dimension between the plates corresponding to the thickness of the body part so that in the assembled position the body part 15 is held tightly between the plates 33, 34 and 35, 36. As indicated in the detail in FIG. 3, the clips 33, 34 and 35, 36 are provided with openings similar to those in the form to insure the passage of moisture and air through the form at the location of the clips. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the clips in each pair are of a diiferent size. If the form is considered in the horizontal position, as shown in FIG. 2, the upper clip 33 extends a greater distance laterally from the arm part 17 and, as a result, extends further over the body part 15. On the underside of the form, the smaller of the plate clips is arranged as indicated by the dotted arrangement of plate 34 in FIG. 2. It is preferably in placing an article of knitwear on the form, such as a pullover shown in phantom in FIG. 1, that the smaller clips 34 and 36 be located on the underside of the form. In this arrangement, the insertion of the body part 15 between the clips mounted on the arm part is easily accomplished and when the pullover 25 or other article of knitwear is placed on the form the clips are not visible from the exterior. Moreover, with one of the clips extending laterally a greater distance than the other, the part to be inserted into the clip can be placed first on the larger clip, 33, and then inserted in a guided manner into the clip and into contacting relationship with the opposed edge of the part upon which the clip is mounted.

The edges and corners of the clips are rounded and flattened to prevent any damage or interference with the placement on and removal of the knitwear from the form. While the clips have been indicated as attached to the arm part, it would be possible also to secure the clips to the body part depending on the condition and arrangement of the form.

In order to support the form within the steaming and pressing apparatus, a mounting bracket 41 having a U-shaped construction is comprised of a transverse bar 45 and a pair of legs 42, 43 disposed generally normal to the bar 45 and extending outwardly away from the form. Located along each of the legs 42, 43 is a row of openings 44. In positioning the bracket 41 in the steaming and pressing apparatus, a support rod 38 is arranged within the apparatus and contains a pair of outwardly extending pins 39, 40, preferably tapered, which serve to receive the openings 44 in the legs 42, 43 of the bracket. With a plurality of openings 44 along each of the legs, the form may be adjustably positioned relative to the support rod 38.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cross member 45 and the legs 42, 43 of the bracket 41 are formed of a double wall construction. In the cross member 45, the double walls are spaced apart to provide a narrow groove into which the lower edge of the form part 15 is inserted. Additionally, at least one of the double wall surfaces of the cross member 45 is provided with longitudinally extending slots 46, 47 with openings thereto formed in the edge of the cross member facing toward the form. Along the lower edge of the form a pair of spaced pins 48, 49 are arranged for insertion into the slots 46, 47 to hold the form in position on the bracket 41. While FIG. 4 shows the pins 48, 49 arranged on only one side of the form, t is possible to provide them on both sides for properly interlocking the form into the bracket. Moreover, it will be appreciated that constructions other than the double walled arrangement of the cross bar could be provided for properly attaching the form into the bracket so that it may be supported within the pressing and steaming operat1ons. In view of the manner in which the bracket is mounted on the tapered pins 39, of the support bar 38, it can be appreciated that the form and bracket may be quickly and easily mounted and dismounted in the pressing and steaming apparatus. Moreover, the arrangernent of the slots 46, 47 in the bracket also assure ease in the attachment of the form to the bracket.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A device used for shaping knitwear by steaming and pressing, comprising a form including a first part and a second part, means for removably securing said first part and second part together, each of said first and second parts being made of a thin flat continuous section of sheet material having small openings formed therethrough and disposed in closely spaced relationship for providing a screen-like construction over the entire surface of said first and second parts, the openings through said first and second parts being arranged in a multiplicity of parallel rows extending across the entire surface of said parts, and said first and second parts being disposed in coplanar non-overlapping relationship and each of said first part and said second part having a continuous narrow closed edge in contact with the other.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the contacting edges of said first and second parts are disposed in parallel relationship with the parallel rows of openings through said form.

3. A device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for securing said first and second parts together comprises a pair of plates disposed in spaced oppositely arranged parallel relationship each secured to an opposite one of the faces of one of said parts adjacent the contacting edge thereof, and said plates extending laterally from the contacting edge of said part to which they are attached in overlapping relationship with the other said part, the said plates being spaced apart sufficiently to receive and hold the other said part between them in tightly fitting engagement.

4. A device as set forth in claim 3, wherein one said pair of plates is disposed at each of the opposite ends of the contacting edges of said first and second parts.

5. A device as set forth in claim 3, wherein the edges of said plates are flat and smooth to avoid interfering with the knitwear placed on and removed from said form.

6. A device used for shaping knitwear by steaming and pressing, comprising a form made of a thin flat continuous section of sheet material, having a plurality of closely spaced small diameter openings formed therethrough and arranged in parallel rows extending across the entire surface thereof, said form comprising at least a first part and a second part removably secured to said first part, said first part and said second part each having a continuous narrow closed edge disposed in contacting relationship with the other, a bracket for supporting said form in the treatment operations comprising a cross member arranged to mount said form, a pair of legs extending angularly from said cross member, a plurality of spaced holes in said legs arranged for attachably positioning said bracket on the apparatus employed in the treatment operation, and means secured to said form for effecting interlocking engagement with said cross member.

7. A device as set forth in claim 6, wherein said means secured to said form comprises a pair of spaced pins extending outwardly from the surface of said form, said cross member arranged to form a slot of sufiicient width to receive an edge of said form in closely fitting engage! ment, slots formed in and extending in the longitudinal direction of said cross member, openings in one end of said slot of a suflicient width to receive said pins secured to said form whereby as the edge of said form is positioned in the groove in said cross member said pins are passed into openings in the slot and moved in therlongitudinal direction of the cross member within the slots for securing the form on said bracket in interlocking engagement.

8. A device used for shaping knitwear by steaming and pressing, comprising a form made of a thin fiat continuous section of sheet material having a multiplicity of closely spaced small diameter openings formed therethrough and arranged in parallel rows across the entire surface thereof, said form comprising at least a first part and a second part removably secured to said first part, said first part and said second part each having an oppositely disposed continuous narrow closed edge in contact with the other, means for securing said first and second parts together comprising a pair of spaced oppositely arranged plates each secured to an opposite one of the faces of one of said parts adjacent to the edge thereof in contact with the other said part, and said plates extending laterally from said contacting edge of said part to which they are attached in overlapping relationship with the other said part, and said plates being disposed in spaced relationship a suflicient distance to receive the other said part therebetween in tightly fitting engage ment, said plates being formed of a thin flat sheet material and having openings formed therethrough in a pattern similar to the openings in said first and second parts of said form for admitting air and moisture through said plates and said form at the location of said plates on said first and second parts.

9. A device used for shaping knitwear by steaming and pressing, comprising a form made of a thin flat continuous section sheet material having a plurality of closely spaced small diameter openings formed therethrough and arranged in parallel rows extending across the entire surface thereof, said form comprising at least a first part and a second part, said first part and second part each having a continuous narrow closed edge disposed in contacting relationship with the other, means for removably securing said first and second parts together comprising a pair of oppositely arranged space plates each secured to an opposite face of one of said parts adjacent the edge thereof in contacting relationship with the other said part and said plates extending laterally from said contacting edge of said plate to which they are attached in overlapping relationship with the other said part and being spaced apart a suflicient distance to receive the other said part therebetween in tightly fitting engagement, and one of said plates in said pair of plates extending laterally from the contacting edge of said part to which it is attached a greater distance from said edge than the other said plate.

10. A device, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the portion of the edge of each said plate extending laterally from the part to which it is attached having a curvilinear configuration for at least that part thereof spaced remotely from said part to which it is attached.

11. A device, as set forth in claim 10, wherein the curvilinearly configured part of the edge of said plate being semi-circular.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,188,986 2/1940 Schwartz 223-69 2,506,513 5/1950 Mayer 22369 3,216,633 11/1965 Paris 223-70 3,442,426 5/1969 Kannegiesser et a1. 22369 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,351,851 12/ 1963 France.

MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner G. V. LARKIN, Assistant Examiner 

